Chick-fil-A: fines and controversy for child labor at its restaurants in the United States
May 23, 2023 09:12 am.
In early 2023, Chick-fil-A came under public scrutiny when a TikTok featured a child working at a Chick-fil-A restaurant. The employee, only 13 years old, was actually within his legal rights to work, as his father owned the place where he worked.
Chick-fil-A and child abuse: A look at its negative record in America. Photo: WSFA
However, the confusion over Tick-Tock prompted second and third looks at Chick-fil-A’s spotty record when it comes to employing minors. A few months ago, Chick-fil-A in North Carolina faced a fine of over $6,400 in child labor violations. According to a Labor Department investigation, the store allowed three minors to use the trash compactor, despite provisions stating that workers under the age of 18 are prohibited from performing hazardous tasks such as operating compactors, shredding machines and deli slicers goes.
While a $6,400 fine is no small punishment, a Florida Chick-fil-A was fined nearly double that in August 2022 for, you guessed it, more child labor violations, albeit of a slightly different nature.
Chick-fil-A’s underage employees are working long hours
Underage workers are limited in how much work they are allowed to do. Federal law states that minors cannot work more than three hours on a school day or more than 18 hours during a school week, nor can they work more than eight hours on a non-school day or more than 40 hours during a non-school week. can work. Week. Additionally, underage workers are restricted to work between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. outside of the summer (when hours can be extended to 9 p.m.).
Chick-fil-A and child abuse: A look at its negative record in the U.S. Photo: The NY Journal
Unfortunately, the Department of Labor found the Florida Chick-fil-A to be in violation of both provisions, with 17 minors working more than three hours on school days or working beyond their legal curfew. As such, the store was fined over $12,000 for the violation. Chick-fil-A isn’t the only company that finds itself in trouble for overworking its underage workforce, Nestlé has also courted controversy over child labor.
with information from Mashed
